Miss George's Second Chance by Heather Boyd

Author:Heather Boyd
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Regency, Historical Romance, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: LLD Press
Published: 2013-11-14T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Women, wine and wagers. That was usually the topic of conversation when Peter and his friends played cards. The comfort he found in the gathering settled his decision to return to Brighton and leave greater society behind. This was as near to content as he’d ever been in the last year. He helped himself to one last forkful of chicken and then resumed his seat at the head of his dining room table to place his modest bet.

“Friday night has not been the same without your presence, Sir Peter. Always a handsome spread.” Walter George confided from behind a plate piled high from the contents of the sideboard. Despite his slimmer profile it was clear his appetite had not been reduced as he plunked a second helping at his end of the table before digging in with gusto.

Friday night had been the highlight of the week in his household in previous years. At that time, he’d needed to keep up appearances so no one would ever know how close to the wind he’d sailed. He shuddered at the thought of debtor’s prison. If not for Imogen offering him a life raft, that in the end he hadn’t needed to cling to, he’d have already been there and miserable, but then fate had swept him into a greater fortune than he’d ever dreamed. Yet over the past year he’d been far from content. He could afford to gamble as much as he wanted now but strangely found he wasn’t so keen to risk the security of the funds.

George belched and tapped at his chest. “Pardon me. My stomach has missed you.”

Peter laughed. Walter George was rather uncharacteristically cut this evening. His cheeks held a cheerful ruddy glow brighter than a burn on a summer’s day. Given what Peter knew of the stress of life with Imogen as she was now, he judged Walter George probably needed to take his mind off his troubles for one night.

Peter tossed a few coins onto the growing pile and picked up his cards again. “I’m in.”

The others cheered as Radley matched his bet. “We’ve all missed Friday night cards here,” Radley confided. “How else can we get a moment’s peace away from our families?”

Merton chuckled softly. “Is Miss Julia causing you trouble again?”

“If only I were sure of that.” Radley frowned at his cards. “I swear the way she’s smiling she’s got a secret admirer.”

“Now that is news.” Merton pursed his lips as he stared at his cards. “Any idea who?”

“None. The bastard is fast on his feet.” Radley stared across the table. “When you called on me yesterday did you notice anyone in the parlor with m’sister as you were leaving?”

“None at all. She was alone when I passed the doorway.” Merton folded and sat back.

Radley grunted. “Well, she bears watching. The way she goes on, daring us all to race her left and right, she’ll ruin her own reputation without help.”

Merton swiveled on his chair to face Peter. “Now do tell us about the ladies you encountered during your time away.

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